William Bryan

Patient recovers from bilateral knee replacement surgery

“Grandpa, you have zippers on your knees,” William Bryan’s
granddaughter said.

Bryan, who was recovering after a bilateral knee replacement surgery at
the Rehabilitation Center at Southern Regional, smiled at his granddaughter
as he recalled the moment he decided to get the surgery after 20 years
of enduring pain.

“I wanted to get to the point where I was able to take care of myself
again,” Bryan said. “I also wanted to get my golf score below
80 and be able to play a full 18 holes.”

Originally injuring his knee in a sandlot baseball game back in 1968, Bryan
suffered through years of discomfort and pain and eventually noticed a
gradual, yet distinct decline in his overall quality of life. After watching
a close friend struggle through a similar surgery years before, he put
off having the surgery feeling that his friend’s recovery was just too much.

His recovery today, however, has been far different from that his friend
experienced decades ago. Bryan’s surgery took place at another Atlanta-based
hospital but after speaking with a friend who underwent treatment at The
Rehabilitation Center, he opted to complete his recovery at Southern Regional.

“I arrived on a Friday and I was up and walking by the following
Tuesday,” Bryan, who completed at least three hours of therapy a
day after his surgery, said.

In addition to completing intensive therapy during his stay at The Rehabilitation
Center, Bryan received rehabilitation nursing care and daily visits from
Dr. D. Terrence Foster, a specialist in rehabilitation medicine.

“Southern Regional was the obvious choice,” Bryan said. “My
experience with this hospital has always been a pleasant one - from my
friend who underwent rehab treatment here to my grandchildren that were
born here.”

“The nurses who attended to me went above and beyond to assist me
in moving about,” Bryan, who stands over six feet tall, said. “The
fact that these nurses and the therapists helped me when I needed them
most and were attentive to my every need made my stay an exemplary one.”